Martin Luther Lesson 3: Luther Stands Alone What Was Going On?
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Martin Luther Lesson 3: Luther Stands Alone What Was Going On? Pope Leo X Charles V Francis I Suleiman the Magnificent Economic and Moral Corruption in the Church Annates Simony Absenteeism Concubinage fee Curio fiscalism Luther’s Early Life Early training Joined Augustinian Order Luther's early trip to Rome (start at 7:00) Was a very active man (1514-1518): Professor at University of Wittenburg (lectured on the Psalms, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews) Administrator—district vicar for 11 other monasteries in the region Elected the “people’s priest”—had to preach and do pastoral counseling Indulgences Background Two types of punishment—eternal and temporal Sacrament of penance Part of the sinner Contrition – have contrite heart Confession – confess to priest Satisfaction – external activity for temporal punishment Part of the priest – grant forgiveness of sins Purgatory takes care of remaining satisfaction not done on earth Indulgence – reductions in requirements for satisfaction John Tetzel Video clip (start at 31:10) Indulgences not completely accepted Luther’s Response to the Abuse of Indulgences Wrote 95 Theses written in Latin and posted them on the door of the Wittenburgh Church on Oct 31, 1517 Was just meant as a discussion board with theological colleagues Were translated into German and reprinted and distributed They were NOT an act of rebellion against the church Does not deny papal power Does not deny sacrament of penance Does not deny validity of indulgences (just abuses) “95 Theses” Examples 45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and passes him by, and gives [his money] for pardons, purchases not the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God. 54. Injury is done the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or a longer time is spent on pardons than on this Word. 82. To wit: -- "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial." Luther’s ”Evangelical Breakthrough” Wrestled mightily with his own sin and the church’s teaching Rom 1:17-18 Luther’s own description of his ”evangelical breakthrough” in Table Talk: “These words ‘righteous’ and ‘righteousness of God’ struck my conscience as flashes of lightning, frightening me each time I heard them: if God is righteous, he punishes. But by the grace of God, as I once meditated upon these words in the tower: ‘The righteous shall live by faith’ and ‘the righteousness of God,’ there suddenly came into my mind the thought that if we as righteous are to live by faith, and if the righteousness of faith is to be for salvation to everyone who believes, then it is not our merit, but the mercy of God. Thus my soul was refreshed, for it was the righteousness of God by which we are justified and saved through Christ. These words became more pleasant to me. Through this word the Holy Spirit enlightened me in the tower.” Road to Worms Heidelberg Disputation (1518) Debate with Johan Eck (1519) Frederick the Wise Luther’s writing (1520) The Address to the Christian Nobility The Babylonian Captivity Freedom of the Christian Man Exsurge Domine Diet of Worms April 1521 emperor called Luther to come and give an account of himself Video Clip Wartburg Castle Luther became “Knight George” (grew beard, dressed in armor, etc.) Spent much of his time translating the NT into common German One of the great pivotal events in the reformation period Lay people could now understand the Bible and had a right to access it Also wrote a treatise on monsastic vows Stayed for about 18 months Reflections What are examples of where we might need to ask the question, “Am I alone wise?” How did Luther answer it? How should we answer it? What can we learn about Luther’s time in Wartburg Castle? Video clip address (backup) https://youtu.be/_rJwCqhTyY8?t=4195 .